New Record fleet for Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week 2012

by Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week media on 6 Aug 2012 Since entries opened in April with a flood of applications, it has been clear that there would be a big fleet for the 23rd annual Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week 2012.

Today Regatta Director Denis Thompson announced a new Airlie Beach Race Week fleet record. At least 121 boats and 1023 sailors are expected to be competing this year. The event is still accepting late entries so those number could yet rise.

The event commences with a Skippers Briefing this Thursday night 9th August at the Whitsunday Sailing Club and runs until Thursday 16th August 2012.

The good news for the 2012 event is that Thompson has been following the weather patterns closely, in his capacity as Race Director for one of the feeder races to the Whitsunday season, the 345 nautical mile Brisbane to Keppel Yacht Race, which started on Friday.

‘The trade winds are expected to kick in after this week of very, very slight winds.

‘It looks like by the start of racing on Friday we are going to see a Queensland coastal ridge develop and have good south easterlies blowing, so I am looking forward to some good racing.

‘We will start with the traditional race which is the Cones-Armit Race.

‘Courses this year will be similar to last. The major event difference this year is that, while some of the fleet will be at Abel Point, some will be at Port of Airlie and another group will be on moorings in Pioneer Bay.

‘The event hospitality will be at Whitsunday Sailing Club and there will be a shuttle bus service from Abel Point to take competitors round to Whitsunday Sailing Club.

‘And if you are reading this while shivering in the southern winter, expect 22-25 degree days and blue skies.

‘The major problem for sailors ahead of the 2012 event is to remember to bring sun block 30+ and your loudest floral tropical shirts.’

Further information, online entry and NOR available at www.airliebeachraceweek.com.au